Ex-Sun Garlett free to play elsewhere

Jarrod Garlett is free to join a rival AFL club after the Gold Coast back-flipped on their decision to force him to sit out the next two seasons.

But the young small forward has no interest in playing at the top level in 2017, according to the Suns.

Garlett was granted an immediate release on Tuesday to return home to Western Australia after what the club described as a "significant change" in family circumstances.

His signing of a two-year contract extension in August meant the Suns were able to prevent him playing elsewhere until the 2019 AFL season.

But the Suns reversed their decision, now giving the 20-year-old the all-clear take the field in 2018 if he desires.

"Our player development team and wider support network has been working with Jarrod for some time to assist him in adjusting into life away from his family," football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"We continue to work with Jarrod and his management to ensure Jarrod's transition into life away from the AFL is as smooth as possible and we wish him and his family all the very best in the future."

Garlett is the second cousin of Melbourne's Jeff Garlett and first cousins with fallen draftee Dayle Garlett, who was recruited by Hawthorn in 2013 but jailed last year after a drug-fuelled crime spree.